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I love to eat – especially while traveling. This was no exception while I was in Amsterdam. Food is one of the best ways to experience a culture, so I was so excited to try some traditional Dutch food!
My friends and I considered doing a food tour of Amsterdam, but all the ones we found were very expensive. So, we decided to just make our own! We made a list of all the things we wanted to try in the city, and then found great restaurants to visit on our own. We tried a mix of traditional Dutch offerings as well as some other foods. I don’t think we were ever disappointed in our choices – everything was so good!
Check out where we went on our very own food tour of Amsterdam!
If you want Dutch Pancakes…
The Netherlands are known for Dutch Pancakes, which are thin and crepe-like rather than fluffy. There are TONS of pancake restaurants throughout the city, but my favorite was definitely The Pancake Bakery. This delicious spot is just a short walk from the Anne Frank House and Dam Square. Everything was so good that we went four times, and we were only in Amsterdam for a week!
THE PANCAKE BAKERY // PRISENGRACHT 191, 1015 DS, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
They have a wide variety of pancakes on their menu, from savory to sweet. I much preferred the sweet ones, but my friends liked the savory ones more. My favorite? The pancake with chocolate sauce, ice cream, and whipped cream – it was SO GOOD!
Another thing on the must-try list is their delicious poffertjes. These are small, fluffy pancakes served with butter and powdered sugar. I think I liked these more than the pancakes!
If you want traditional Dutch food…
Before my visit to Amsterdam, the only traditional Dutch food I knew much about were the Dutch Pancakes and bitterballen. These are a type of deep-fried meatballs, usually made of beef or veal. They’re served with mustard – add a Heineken for the perfect pairing!
After some research, we decided to check out Kingfisher Café, located in the De Pijp neighborhood. I ordered the bitterballen and some fries, which made for a cheap and delicious dinner.
KINGFISHER CAFE // FERDINAND BOLSTRAAT 24, 1072 LK, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
Another great option for a traditional Dutch meal is Tomaz (Begijnensteeg 6), a small café specializing in Dutch food and drinks. Their menu features Dutch specialities such as herring, ossenworst, and croquettes. I went with the veal croquettes, which were very similar to bitterballen. They were so good, and paired great with an Apple Bandit cider!
TOMAZ // BEGIJNENSTEEG 6, 1012 PN, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
If you want seafood…
I love seafood, so I knew I wanted to try some in Amsterdam. After some searching, we found what was supposed to be the best seafood restaurant in Amsterdam: The Seafood Bar.
There was a one to two hour wait when we arrived, however they had tables near the front where we could sit and order drinks. We began by ordering some of the best wine I have ever had – a Spanish white wine called Vinos Sanz Montesol. They also brought us a complimentary appetizer for our wait. I’m not sure what it was, but it was similar to a kind of bruschetta with salmon, and it was delicious! Also, because our wait was so long, they brought us another bottle of wine on the house. This was so kind of them, especially since we didn’t mind the wait.
The host seated us after about an hour and a half of waiting. Since we had browsed the menu during our wait, I already knew what I wanted: the fish and chips. Let me tell you – that was the BEST fish and chips I have ever had. The fish was fresh, full of flavor, and perfectly cooked. My friend got a mix of fried calamari, cod, shrimp, and salmon. It was all to die for, especially the calamari! We ended up going back for dinner again the next day!
The Seafood Bar has three locations around Amsterdam, which you can find on their website or on the map at the end of this post. I highly recommend the Spui location, as we visited the Ferdinand Bolstraat location on our second visit and didn’t have quite as good of an experience. Also, they take reservations if you don’t want to wait!
THE SEAFOOD BAR VAN BAERLESTRAAT // VAN BAERLESTRAAT 5, 1071 AL, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
THE SEAFOOD BAR SPUI // SPUI 15, 1012 WX, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
THE SEAFOOD BAR FERDINAND BOLSTRAAT // FERDINAND BOLSTRAAT 32, 1072 LK, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
If you want Dutch apple pie…
Did you know that the Netherlands is known for their apple pie? I sure didn’t, but when I found out I knew that I had to try it!
Thanks to a tip from a Scott’s Cheap Flights email, I found out that Winkel 43 was thought to have the best apple pie in the city. I’m not even a huge fan of apple pie, but this apple pie was different – it was one of the best desserts I have ever had. The pie was served warm, the apples were crisp and sweet, and the whipped cream on top was the perfect finishing touch.
WINKEL 43 // NOORDERMARKT 43, 1015 NA, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
If you want Mexican food…
Mexican food is hands-down my favorite. I love trying the local take on Mexican food everywhere I go, and Amsterdam was no different! We decided to try Los Feliz, a colorful spot located in the Albert Cuyp Market.
Upon entering the restaurant, we were greeted and quickly seated by a friendly waiter. I ordered a chicken quesadilla with pico de gallo, charred corn salsa, and guacamole. This was perfect for me to get in my Mexican fix!
Los Feliz does not accept cash, however they do take all major credit cards. If you try a margarita, make sure to let me know how it was!
UPDATE 10/23/2018: It seems that Los Feliz has permanently closed.
If you want pasta…
Next to Mexican food, pasta is my second favorite. We ended up having pasta twice while in Amsterdam, and it was delicious both times!
First, we went to a restaurant called Pompa. It’s a short walk from the Van Gogh Museum and the other museums in Museumplein, so it’s the perfect lunch spot before your visit! Pompa specializes in Mediterranean food, and they have a huge pasta selection. I went with the Penne con Pollo, which was penne pasta with grilled chicken, sun-dried tomatoes, and a delicious cream sauce. Everything on the menu looked great, but the penne con pollo was some of the best pasta I’d ever had!
POMPA // WILLEMSPARKWEG 6, 1071 HD, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
When we started craving pasta again, we decided to try a traditional Italian restaurant called Ristorante Italia Oggi. Some reviewers said that this was the best Italian food in Amsterdam, and I would have to agree – it was amazing. I had lobster ravioli that was delicious and very affordable – only slightly more than what you would pay for pasta at Olive Garden.
Ristorante Italia Oggi is only open for dinner and reservations are recommended. We went shortly after they opened and had no wait, but apparently this is rare!
RISTORANTE ITALIA OGGI // BINNEN BANTAMMERSTRAAT 11, 1011 CH, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
If you want street food…
The Albert Cuyp Market is one of the city’s most famous markets for a good reason. If you want to try some of the local street food, this is the place to go! I really enjoyed having a homemade giant stroopwafel and a bratwurst. Other vendors had specialties like raw herring and fresh-made poffertjes, so there was something for everyone!
ALBERT CUYP MARKET // ALBERT CUYPSTRAAT, 1073 CC, AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS
As you can see, I ate a wide variety of delicious foods in Amsterdam. There is truly something for everyone, whether you’re an adventurous eater or you’re more on the picky side. I missed out on trying raw herring and Indonesian food this time, but that just means I have to come back!
Have you been to Amsterdam? What are your favorite places to eat in the city?
If you check out any of these places, make sure to comment and let me know!
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Thank you for this post! I had no idea about the local foods from the Netherlands, or even that you could get Mexican food! Hopefully it’s been replaced by something awesome 🙂
What a great collection of food! I am sure this post will guide new travelers through Amsterdam’s food scene.
Thank you!
These are all looks amazing and I would love to try their food someday
It was all fabulous! I highly recommend a trip to Amsterdam.
Amsterdam is much more famous for some other things (cough cough) but it’s actually underrated when people start talking about food. Amsterdam has some amazing food options and is a great place for gourmands.
I know! Before this trip, I never would’ve considered Amsterdam to be a foodie destination.
I never really thought about going to Amsterdam before, it looks beautiful though. May need to add it to my want to do list.
I had never really thought about going there either before finding a cheap flight, but now I think it’s one of my favorite places! I can’t wait to return.
I agree food tours are very expensive. I want to do them every time I travel but haven’t found them to be worth it. Local word of mouth and google are fantastic free ways of doing a food tour.
We found a guided food tour that looked like so much fun, but it was 65 Euro. We didn’t want to pay that to just get small samples of food!
The food in Amsterdam is amazing. We were last there a few years ago for a college friend’s wedding. We had a great time.
Glad you enjoyed it!
I just got back from dinner, but your post is making me want to devour everything! Amsterdam has always been on my radar to visit because of its culture and historical significance, but food is definitely a plus too. I’m a lover of all things fried, so I’m super jealous of your meals!
Fried foods are the best!
tis all looks so amazing! almost too good to eat! I would have to try everything
I want to go back so I can try all the things I missed!
Mmm this all looks delicious! Lucky I have just eaten my dinner or I might have eaten my laptop! I like that you tried some traditional dishes in Amsterdam 🙂
Thank you! Trying local foods is one of my favorite things to do while traveling.
I love all your pictures. It looks like I need to take a trip and try all the food.
Thank you!
Food and Travel definitely go hand in hand. Those meatballs looked amazing, what was your favorite dish?
The meatballs were so good, but I think the poffertjes were my favorite. Especially with chocolate chips!
This is very similar to my country! 🙂 love it! <3
Thanks 🙂 What country are you from?
Oh man, I would give anything to go on a food tour in amsterdam! I am just such a FOOD LOVERRRRR that basically anytime I travel it’s a food tour of sorts! 😉 I just love sampling local cuisine because to me, that’s truly immersing yourself into the culture!
I agree! Food is the perfect way to get a sense of a new culture.
I have never been to Amsterdam but I would love to be there to see their beautiful place and try all their traditional foods.
It’s a fabulous city with so much to see and do – and eat!
Thank you for sharing these places. I’ll check them out next time im in Amsterdam x
Laura
https://pinkfrenzymissl.blogspot.com/
You’re welcome 🙂
I love Amsterdam, we once spent two days there doing nothing but food and drink stuff (we’d already been and enjoyed many tourist sites and fancied a themed visit). As you say, it’s so easy to find great places on your own, this is one of the cities you don’t need an organised tour!
It’s such a great city with so much great food!
Great post! Love the traditional Dutch food option! Will bookmark this for my next trip to Amsterdam!
Thanks for sharing!
There will be more Amsterdam posts coming soon so stay tuned 🙂
Oh … I’m still saying I’m not going to go into such delicious posts. Everything looks fantastic and it was definitely great. Hmm … Amsterdam is so far away … and that pie seems so delicious, I’m looking for a city breack right now
Amsterdam is perfect for a city break!
The poffertjes certainly look and sound delicious. We’re BIG fans of pancakes and Amsterdam would be a great destination for us!
I had SO MANY pancakes on this trip! They were all amazing.
I am hoping to visit Amsterdam soon. Will bookmark the post to visit then. Thanks for all the recommendations.
❥ tanvii.com
You’re welcome! More Amsterdam posts will be up soon, so stay tuned 🙂